Gateway (Kissimmee, Fla.) cornerback Isaiah Wharton committed to Rutgers two weeks ago, and is excited to finally end the recruiting process. The 6-1, 180-pound cornerback faxed the Rutgers staff his national letter of intent at 7: 12 (a.m. ET) Wednesday morning, and can't wait to move on to the next phase of his football career.

"It's a blessing. It's a big relief for me," said Wharton. "The
process has been a big roller coaster. But I'm glad to just finally get it over
with. I know I made the right decision and I'm ready for the next chapter in my
life."

Wharton says he initially selected the Scarlet Knights based
on the multiple relationships he formed with people inside the program.

"The thing that made me commit was the strong bond I had
with coach (Darrell) Wilson when I went up there for my visit," said Wharton. "A
lot of the kids in my recruiting class, I have a real good bond with them. The
program is real family oriented and stuff like that. So that was a really good
selling point."

Wharton has been in contact with fellow incoming recruit and
defensive secondary member Saquan Hampton throughout the past month of the
recruiting process. Rutgers assistants Jim Panagos and Darrell Wilson also keep
in regular contact.

"Me and Saquan, we've been talking a little back and forth,
here and there," said Wharton. "I talked to coach Panagos and he congratulated
me and welcomed me to the family. And coach Wilson should be calling me
sometime tonight, probably. But he inboxed me saying, 'Welcome to the family.'
And he told me to say hello to my mom."

When asked to reflect on the final month of his recruitment
which culminated in him receiving a full scholarship from Rutgers University,
Wharton was at a loss for words.